Katie J. Wells
@katiejwells.bsky.social
i study how labor platforms shape the way we live in cities. geographer. research director @groundwork.bsky.social. new book: DISRUPTING D.C. (Princeton Univ Press 2023) http://katiejwells.net
Reposted by Katie J. Wells
www.cbsnews.com/news/instaca...
A months-long investigation by the nonprofit organizations Consumer Reports and Groundwork Collaborative found that identical grocery items on Instacart could differ in price by as much as 23% from one customer to the next.
A months-long investigation by the nonprofit organizations Consumer Reports and Groundwork Collaborative found that identical grocery items on Instacart could differ in price by as much as 23% from one customer to the next.
Instacart's AI-enabled pricing may bump up your grocery costs by as much as 23%, study says
Shoppers may be unaware they're paying as much as 23% more than others for the same grocery items on Instacart, a new analysis says.
www.cbsnews.com
December 9, 2025 at 10:53 PM
www.cbsnews.com/news/instaca...
A months-long investigation by the nonprofit organizations Consumer Reports and Groundwork Collaborative found that identical grocery items on Instacart could differ in price by as much as 23% from one customer to the next.
A months-long investigation by the nonprofit organizations Consumer Reports and Groundwork Collaborative found that identical grocery items on Instacart could differ in price by as much as 23% from one customer to the next.
Reposted by Katie J. Wells
Instacart is charging different prices to different customers — on the same grocery items in the same stores, bombshell study reveals
Instacart is charging different prices to different customers — on the same grocery items in the same stores, bombshell study reveals
Groundwork, a consumer advocacy group, said Instacart's pricing algorithm could lead to shoppers forking over an extra $1,200 on groceries each year.
nypost.com
December 9, 2025 at 10:36 PM
Instacart is charging different prices to different customers — on the same grocery items in the same stores, bombshell study reveals
Reposted by Katie J. Wells
Instacart is using AI and algorithms to spy on us and charge different people different prices for the same products at the grocery store.
This ripoff could cost families $1,200/year.
This ripoff could cost families $1,200/year.
We Had 400 People Shop For Groceries. What We Found Will Shock You.
YouTube video by More Perfect Union
www.youtube.com
December 9, 2025 at 11:11 PM
Instacart is using AI and algorithms to spy on us and charge different people different prices for the same products at the grocery store.
This ripoff could cost families $1,200/year.
This ripoff could cost families $1,200/year.
Reposted by Katie J. Wells
A new investigation has revealed that grocery delivery service Instacart is using a covert, AI-powered dynamic pricing scheme to charge customers different prices for the same items — potentially costing households over $1,000 more a year.
Instacart Reportedly Using Secret AI-Powered Dynamic Pricing to Jack Up Prices
In an experiment, investigators found that the same grocery basket at a Seattle store cost between $114 and $124.
truthout.org
December 9, 2025 at 9:40 PM
A new investigation has revealed that grocery delivery service Instacart is using a covert, AI-powered dynamic pricing scheme to charge customers different prices for the same items — potentially costing households over $1,000 more a year.
Reposted by Katie J. Wells
Great work from @groundwork.bsky.social. what it immediately brings to mind is whether a SNAP card on an instacart account impacts prices shown and if so how
Our study, using over 400 volunteer shoppers, found that Instacart offered different prices to different shoppers on 74% of the grocery items tested.
December 9, 2025 at 7:40 PM
Great work from @groundwork.bsky.social. what it immediately brings to mind is whether a SNAP card on an instacart account impacts prices shown and if so how
Reposted by Katie J. Wells
If you read my story, you should probably check out @katiejwells.bsky.social's new report--she and a team of researchers worked with over 400 shoppers to test out pricing on Instacart. 73% of the items tested were offered at diff price points! groundworkcollaborative.org/work/instaca...
December 9, 2025 at 9:16 PM
If you read my story, you should probably check out @katiejwells.bsky.social's new report--she and a team of researchers worked with over 400 shoppers to test out pricing on Instacart. 73% of the items tested were offered at diff price points! groundworkcollaborative.org/work/instaca...
Reposted by Katie J. Wells
New research found that Instacart is charging shoppers different prices — despite ordering the same items from the same store at the same time.
The price differences could amount to an extra $1,200 a year for the average household of four.
Corporate greed is out of control.
The price differences could amount to an extra $1,200 a year for the average household of four.
Corporate greed is out of control.
Instacart’s AI-Enabled Pricing Experiments May Be Inflating Your Grocery Bill, CR and Groundwork Collaborative Investigation Finds - Consumer Reports
Exclusive: Instacart’s AI pricing may be inflating your grocery bill.
www.consumerreports.org
December 9, 2025 at 7:15 PM
New research found that Instacart is charging shoppers different prices — despite ordering the same items from the same store at the same time.
The price differences could amount to an extra $1,200 a year for the average household of four.
Corporate greed is out of control.
The price differences could amount to an extra $1,200 a year for the average household of four.
Corporate greed is out of control.
Reposted by Katie J. Wells
In tests in four cities across the U.S., nearly 200 volunteers checked prices on 20 grocery items on Instacart. They found differences in item after item.
Same Product, Same Store, but on Instacart, Prices Might Differ
The findings are the latest example of how the notion of a single price is breaking down in the digital age, a trend economists say could be pushing up some prices.
nyti.ms
December 9, 2025 at 4:50 PM
In tests in four cities across the U.S., nearly 200 volunteers checked prices on 20 grocery items on Instacart. They found differences in item after item.
Reposted by Katie J. Wells
EXCLUSIVE: We found that Instacart is using AI algorithms to charge customers different prices for the same items.
It's not just online. It's in physical grocery stores too.
Our months-long investigation with @consumerreports.org and @groundwork.bsky.social found it could cost families $1200/year.
It's not just online. It's in physical grocery stores too.
Our months-long investigation with @consumerreports.org and @groundwork.bsky.social found it could cost families $1200/year.
We Had 400 People Shop For Groceries. What We Found Will Shock You.
YouTube video by More Perfect Union
www.youtube.com
December 9, 2025 at 1:37 PM
EXCLUSIVE: We found that Instacart is using AI algorithms to charge customers different prices for the same items.
It's not just online. It's in physical grocery stores too.
Our months-long investigation with @consumerreports.org and @groundwork.bsky.social found it could cost families $1200/year.
It's not just online. It's in physical grocery stores too.
Our months-long investigation with @consumerreports.org and @groundwork.bsky.social found it could cost families $1200/year.
Reposted by Katie J. Wells
A clear, infuriating breakdown of Instacart's AI-driven price manipulation:
EXCLUSIVE: We found that Instacart is using AI algorithms to charge customers different prices for the same items.
It's not just online. It's in physical grocery stores too.
Our months-long investigation with @consumerreports.org and @groundwork.bsky.social found it could cost families $1200/year.
It's not just online. It's in physical grocery stores too.
Our months-long investigation with @consumerreports.org and @groundwork.bsky.social found it could cost families $1200/year.
We Had 400 People Shop For Groceries. What We Found Will Shock You.
YouTube video by More Perfect Union
www.youtube.com
December 9, 2025 at 3:20 PM
A clear, infuriating breakdown of Instacart's AI-driven price manipulation:
Reposted by Katie J. Wells
Our study, using over 400 volunteer shoppers, found that Instacart offered different prices to different shoppers on 74% of the grocery items tested.
December 9, 2025 at 5:44 PM
Our study, using over 400 volunteer shoppers, found that Instacart offered different prices to different shoppers on 74% of the grocery items tested.
Reposted by Katie J. Wells
In May, Human Rights Watch released a report showing how gig platforms use opaque algorithms to erode workers' wages.
Now a new investigation finds Instacart is running AI price experiments: charging different people different prices for the *same* groceries, sometimes by more than 23%.
Read this:
Now a new investigation finds Instacart is running AI price experiments: charging different people different prices for the *same* groceries, sometimes by more than 23%.
Read this:
Same Cart, Different Price: Instacart’s Price Experiments Cost Families at Checkout - Groundwork Collaborative
groundworkcollaborative.org
December 9, 2025 at 2:59 PM
In May, Human Rights Watch released a report showing how gig platforms use opaque algorithms to erode workers' wages.
Now a new investigation finds Instacart is running AI price experiments: charging different people different prices for the *same* groceries, sometimes by more than 23%.
Read this:
Now a new investigation finds Instacart is running AI price experiments: charging different people different prices for the *same* groceries, sometimes by more than 23%.
Read this:
Reposted by Katie J. Wells
Remember how this admin gut the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau? Yeah, now it’s that much easier for their corporate pals squeeze every last penny out of your paycheck.
Glad folks like @katiejwells.bsky.social are helping shine a light on this insanity ⬇️
Glad folks like @katiejwells.bsky.social are helping shine a light on this insanity ⬇️
EXCLUSIVE: We found that Instacart is using AI algorithms to charge customers different prices for the same items.
It's not just online. It's in physical grocery stores too.
Our months-long investigation with @consumerreports.org and @groundwork.bsky.social found it could cost families $1200/year.
It's not just online. It's in physical grocery stores too.
Our months-long investigation with @consumerreports.org and @groundwork.bsky.social found it could cost families $1200/year.
We Had 400 People Shop For Groceries. What We Found Will Shock You.
YouTube video by More Perfect Union
www.youtube.com
December 9, 2025 at 3:17 PM
Remember how this admin gut the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau? Yeah, now it’s that much easier for their corporate pals squeeze every last penny out of your paycheck.
Glad folks like @katiejwells.bsky.social are helping shine a light on this insanity ⬇️
Glad folks like @katiejwells.bsky.social are helping shine a light on this insanity ⬇️
Reposted by Katie J. Wells
They are now targeting people who did everything by the book and were literally at the ceremony where they were going to become citizens...
"Immigrants lined up to become U.S. citizens in Boston on Dec. 4 were pulled from line by USCIS officials moments before the oath ceremony"
"Immigrants lined up to become U.S. citizens in Boston on Dec. 4 were pulled from line by USCIS officials moments before the oath ceremony"
Immigrants Approved for Citizenship ‘Plucked Out’ of Line Moments Before Pledging Allegiance: Report
Immigrants lined up to become U.S. citizens in Boston on Dec. 4 were pulled from line by USCIS officials moments before the ceremony. The incident comes after USCIS told employees to halt all immigrat...
people.com
December 8, 2025 at 2:45 AM
They are now targeting people who did everything by the book and were literally at the ceremony where they were going to become citizens...
"Immigrants lined up to become U.S. citizens in Boston on Dec. 4 were pulled from line by USCIS officials moments before the oath ceremony"
"Immigrants lined up to become U.S. citizens in Boston on Dec. 4 were pulled from line by USCIS officials moments before the oath ceremony"
Reposted by Katie J. Wells
The Financial Times finally covers the Network State cult.
Is this tech fascism?
"I mean,we are funding companies that will operate non-democratic cities...and if you're not into that you shouldn't move there," says Peter Thiel protégé Patri Friedman.
Is this tech fascism?
"I mean,we are funding companies that will operate non-democratic cities...and if you're not into that you shouldn't move there," says Peter Thiel protégé Patri Friedman.
December 7, 2025 at 7:59 PM
The Financial Times finally covers the Network State cult.
Is this tech fascism?
"I mean,we are funding companies that will operate non-democratic cities...and if you're not into that you shouldn't move there," says Peter Thiel protégé Patri Friedman.
Is this tech fascism?
"I mean,we are funding companies that will operate non-democratic cities...and if you're not into that you shouldn't move there," says Peter Thiel protégé Patri Friedman.
Reposted by Katie J. Wells
I'm glad DC has ranked-choice voting, but it's not true that running for office is a free hit now.
Voters have limited attention, money, and time. And many will still only rank one candidate.
Cross-endorsements mitigate vote dilution — they don't erase it. Don't flood every race with progressives.
Voters have limited attention, money, and time. And many will still only rank one candidate.
Cross-endorsements mitigate vote dilution — they don't erase it. Don't flood every race with progressives.
New: Ranked choice voting looks like it's coming to DC next year. What will that mean for 2026?
Candidates are changing their strategies, with more willing to jump into these races if RCV will be in place. Could we see cross-endorsements as we did in NYC? It's on the table:
wamu.org/story/25/12/...
Candidates are changing their strategies, with more willing to jump into these races if RCV will be in place. Could we see cross-endorsements as we did in NYC? It's on the table:
wamu.org/story/25/12/...
D.C. is poised to use ranked choice voting next year. It’s already reshaping local races
D.C. officials now need to find a way to educate voters on ballots that allow them to select multiple candidates in order of preference.
wamu.org
December 5, 2025 at 7:18 PM
I'm glad DC has ranked-choice voting, but it's not true that running for office is a free hit now.
Voters have limited attention, money, and time. And many will still only rank one candidate.
Cross-endorsements mitigate vote dilution — they don't erase it. Don't flood every race with progressives.
Voters have limited attention, money, and time. And many will still only rank one candidate.
Cross-endorsements mitigate vote dilution — they don't erase it. Don't flood every race with progressives.
"today’s media crisis wasn’t inevitable but the consequence of policymakers’ embracing a corporate libertarian approach to media policy." 🔥
When journalism is trapped inside a commercial straitjacket, it can’t fight back.
Our new piece on how hyper commercialism, oligarchy, and state coercion have converged to threaten the press — based on our recent @rooseveltinstitute.org report.
www.thenation.com/article/soci...
Our new piece on how hyper commercialism, oligarchy, and state coercion have converged to threaten the press — based on our recent @rooseveltinstitute.org report.
www.thenation.com/article/soci...
A New Roosevelt Institute Report Confronts the Roots of Our Media Crisis—and Calls for Breaking Up Corporate Media
Today’s journalism crisis wasn’t inevitable, but it’s time to free journalism from the straitjacket of turning a democratic obligation into a profit-maximizing business model.
www.thenation.com
December 5, 2025 at 7:03 PM
"today’s media crisis wasn’t inevitable but the consequence of policymakers’ embracing a corporate libertarian approach to media policy." 🔥
Reposted by Katie J. Wells
there are of course many examples of political constituencies that have in fact killed scores of children (en route to some other evil goal), but I can't offhand think of any historical examples of a political constituency organized for that specific purpose
Breaking: After contentious debates and three failed attempts at a vote, a federal vaccine committee decided on Friday to end the decades-long recommendation that all newborns be immunized at birth against hepatitis B.
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/05/h...
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/05/h...
An End to Hepatitis B Shots for All Newborns
www.nytimes.com
December 5, 2025 at 3:59 PM
there are of course many examples of political constituencies that have in fact killed scores of children (en route to some other evil goal), but I can't offhand think of any historical examples of a political constituency organized for that specific purpose
Reposted by Katie J. Wells
You may have heard that Trump’s extortion of University of California was defeated in court. But do you know who won this historic case? Spoiler: not a single UC administrator participated. It was all faculty members of the UC Faculty Associations and @aaup.org! Cc: @veenadubal.bsky.social
Behind the Scenes: How UC Faculty Beat Back Trump's Attacks
YouTube video by UC Faculty
youtu.be
December 5, 2025 at 7:15 AM
You may have heard that Trump’s extortion of University of California was defeated in court. But do you know who won this historic case? Spoiler: not a single UC administrator participated. It was all faculty members of the UC Faculty Associations and @aaup.org! Cc: @veenadubal.bsky.social
Reposted by Katie J. Wells
One hundred and fifty one children under the age of 18 have been arrested between January and October, with a steep increase beginning in May.
ICE Arrested and Separated Chinese Father From 6-Year-Old Son, Advocates Say
The father and son were detained at an ICE check-in on Nov. 26, advocates say. The son’s location is currently unknown, while the father is being held at an upstate ICE facility.
buff.ly
December 4, 2025 at 11:21 PM
One hundred and fifty one children under the age of 18 have been arrested between January and October, with a steep increase beginning in May.
Reposted by Katie J. Wells
"More than 80 percent of the immigrants arrested in D.C. during the surge in federal law enforcement this year had no prior criminal record"
www.washingtonpost.com/immigration/...
www.washingtonpost.com/immigration/...
Most immigrants arrested in Trump’s D.C. crackdown had no criminal records
A Post analysis of federal data shows that the arrests of immigrants with no prior criminal record shot up sixfold during the Trump administration’s crackdown.
www.washingtonpost.com
December 5, 2025 at 3:01 AM
"More than 80 percent of the immigrants arrested in D.C. during the surge in federal law enforcement this year had no prior criminal record"
www.washingtonpost.com/immigration/...
www.washingtonpost.com/immigration/...
"On 3 separate occasions, private guards told the Guardian to move along when parked on what seemed to be public roads. In 1 instance, a guard drove up & walked over to the driverside window. “What are you doing?”...he was wearing Meta’s smart glasses with the red video recording light turned on."
I went to the Nevada desert to see one of the world’s biggest AI data center buildouts. It’s so big it was hard to wrap my mind around.
Downriver is the Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe and the data centers’ water and power consumption could put their land at risk
www.theguardian.com/technology/2...
Downriver is the Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe and the data centers’ water and power consumption could put their land at risk
www.theguardian.com/technology/2...
The AI boom is heralding a new gold rush in the American west
Once home to gold and prospectors, the Nevada desert is now the site of a new kind of expansion: tech datacenters
www.theguardian.com
December 4, 2025 at 6:16 PM
"On 3 separate occasions, private guards told the Guardian to move along when parked on what seemed to be public roads. In 1 instance, a guard drove up & walked over to the driverside window. “What are you doing?”...he was wearing Meta’s smart glasses with the red video recording light turned on."
"Maryland’s zero-fare bus programs provide an important model to the incoming Mamdani administration and others who want increased equity in their cities." [email protected] truthout.org/articles/fre...
Free Buses Can Be a Reality — Just Look at Maryland
Zohran Mamdani’s plan for free buses is not a pipe dream. Montgomery County, Maryland, made its buses free this year.
truthout.org
December 4, 2025 at 3:45 PM
"Maryland’s zero-fare bus programs provide an important model to the incoming Mamdani administration and others who want increased equity in their cities." [email protected] truthout.org/articles/fre...
"On August 15, the Denver Schools placed separate orders for two bulk cases of dry-erase markers, paying $114.52 for one and $149.07 for the other." ---> such important work. thanks @stacyfmitchell.bsky.social. how i wonder if Instacart does the same to cities, counties, and schools...
1. Amazon has become a major force in how cities, counties & schools buy basic supplies. Our new report finds Amazon is using opaque pricing algorithms to drive up costs and eliminate transparency—while harming competition by pushing out better-performing independent suppliers.
Turning Public Money into Amazon’s Profits | Independent Business
Amazon has quietly captured a growing share of government purchasing. This major report explains how, and what to do about it.
ilsr.org
December 4, 2025 at 3:22 PM
"On August 15, the Denver Schools placed separate orders for two bulk cases of dry-erase markers, paying $114.52 for one and $149.07 for the other." ---> such important work. thanks @stacyfmitchell.bsky.social. how i wonder if Instacart does the same to cities, counties, and schools...